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Arsenal 3-2 Crystal Palace: Second-half Jesus hat-trick sends Gunners to Carabao Cup semi-finals

Jesus scored his first Arsenal goals at the Emirates for more than a year

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Jesus

Gabriel Jesus scored a second hat-trick as Arsenal came from a goal down to beat Crystal Palace 3-2 in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

Jean-Philippe Mateta gave Palace the lead inside five minutes and kept the Premier League giants at bay for much of the first half but the introduction of Martin Odeaard and Bukayo Saka inspired an impressive comeback in the second half.

Odegaard set up two with Saka teeing up the other as Jesus scored his first goals the Emirates for over a year, with former Gunners striker Eddie Nketiah reducing the deficit late on for the Eagles.

Palace were ahead inside five minutes from the simplest of methods as Jakub Kiwior hesitated on a long ball forward, allowing Mateta to slot home.

Raheem Sterling went closest in the first half for Arsenal as his dipping free-kick had to be tipped over by Dean Henderson.

Arteta opted to bring in Martin Odegaard at half-time and they Gunners should probably have drawn level early on had Sterling found the net from close range.

The Chelsea loanee could not convert Kieran Tierney’s cross as his shot was blocked by Henderson before hitting the rebound against the crossbar.

Mikel Merino then flashed wide from range as Arsenal looked to up the ante.

And they did finally square the game as Odegaard picked out Jesus with a brilliant ball which the striker matched with a delightful chip over Henderson.

Bukayo Saka also entered the fray with just over 20 minutes to play and, like Odegaard, his presence inspired an Arsenal goal as the Norwegian connected with the England winger before threading Jesus through on goal.

The Brazilian once again made no mistake, smashing the ball into the bottom corner to put the hosts ahead.

And having not scored a goal at the Emirates for the best part of the year, thr 27-year-old was soon celebrating a hat-trick with 10 minutes to go, slotting past Henderson once again to seal seemingly seal the victory.

But just when it looked like job done for Arsenal, one of their former stars set up a nervy finish as substitute Nketiah looped a brilliant header into the net and reduce the deficit.

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Picture of Cian Cheesbrough

Cian Cheesbrough

Cian is a sports journalist with experience writing for national titles, including LiveScore, MailOnline, Eurosport and Sky Sports. He has covered a number of key events during his time in the industry, including from the press box at live Champions League fixtures.

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